CANTICO: A Franciscan Prayer Circuit for The Year of Saint Francis
As the Catholic Church celebrates the Year of St. Francis, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Transitus (passing) of Saint Francis of Assisi, Most Holy Trinity St. Mary Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, served by the Franciscan Friars Conventual and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi, will launch CANTICO, a self-guided Franciscan prayer circuit inspired by The Canticle of the Creatures, on July 15, the Feast of Saint Bonaventure.
By mandate of the Holy Father, the Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a decree designating Franciscan churches as official pilgrimage sites for the Year of St. Francis. Pilgrims who visit these churches and fulfill the usual conditions established by the Church may receive the plenary indulgence granted for the Year of St. Francis.
The choice of July 15 is especially fitting. Saint Bonaventure, one of the greatest theologians of the Franciscan tradition, taught that creation, beauty, and the human senses are privileged pathways to knowing God. His theology provides the inspiration for a prayer experience that invites participants to encounter God through sacred art, poetry, reflection, and contemplation.
At the heart of CANTICO is The Canticle of the Creatures, the hymn Saint Francis composed near the end of his life. Regarded as the first great poem written in the Italian vernacular, it remains one of the most enduring expressions of Franciscan spirituality, praising God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and all of creation.
As pilgrims move throughout the church, they encounter a series of works of sacred art inspired by each stanza of Saint Francis’ poem. The illustrations are by Piero Casentini from the Shrine of San Damiano in Assisi. By scanning a single QR code with their smartphone, visitors begin an audio-guided pilgrimage featuring reflections by Sister Caryn Crook, OSF a Franciscan sister and ecologist. Her meditations invite participants to contemplate the relationship between creation, humanity, and the Creator through the spirituality of Saint Francis.
The pilgrimage concludes with an invitation to write a personal prayer intention and place it before the statue of Saint Francis as an expression of hope, trust, and prayer.
CANTICO is designed for parishioners, pilgrims, school groups, and visitors alike. It also offers a welcoming gateway for those rediscovering their faith. Through poetry, sacred art, guided reflection, and prayer, participants are invited to experience the beauty of creation as Saint Francis did: as a gift that leads us to the Creator.
Visitors are welcome during the church’s regular hours:
Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: Before and after all Masses.
- July 27 from 7:00am - 7:30pm
- Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary Church
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As the Catholic Church celebrates the Year of St. Francis, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Transitus (passing) of Saint Francis of Assisi, Most Holy Trinity St. Mary Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, served by the Franciscan Friars Conventual and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi, will launch CANTICO, a self-guided Franciscan prayer circuit inspired by The Canticle of the Creatures, on July 15, the Feast of Saint Bonaventure.
By mandate of the Holy Father, the Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a decree designating Franciscan churches as official pilgrimage sites for the Year of St. Francis. Pilgrims who visit these churches and fulfill the usual conditions established by the Church may receive the plenary indulgence granted for the Year of St. Francis.
The choice of July 15 is especially fitting. Saint Bonaventure, one of the greatest theologians of the Franciscan tradition, taught that creation, beauty, and the human senses are privileged pathways to knowing God. His theology provides the inspiration for a prayer experience that invites participants to encounter God through sacred art, poetry, reflection, and contemplation.
At the heart of CANTICO is The Canticle of the Creatures, the hymn Saint Francis composed near the end of his life. Regarded as the first great poem written in the Italian vernacular, it remains one of the most enduring expressions of Franciscan spirituality, praising God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and all of creation.
As pilgrims move throughout the church, they encounter a series of works of sacred art inspired by each stanza of Saint Francis’ poem. The illustrations are by Piero Casentini from the Shrine of San Damiano in Assisi. By scanning a single QR code with their smartphone, visitors begin an audio-guided pilgrimage featuring reflections by Sister Caryn Crook, OSF a Franciscan sister and ecologist. Her meditations invite participants to contemplate the relationship between creation, humanity, and the Creator through the spirituality of Saint Francis.
The pilgrimage concludes with an invitation to write a personal prayer intention and place it before the statue of Saint Francis as an expression of hope, trust, and prayer.
CANTICO is designed for parishioners, pilgrims, school groups, and visitors alike. It also offers a welcoming gateway for those rediscovering their faith. Through poetry, sacred art, guided reflection, and prayer, participants are invited to experience the beauty of creation as Saint Francis did: as a gift that leads us to the Creator.
Visitors are welcome during the church’s regular hours:
Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: Before and after all Masses.